Is Applying Coconut Oil Good for Your Hair?

Coconut oil is extracted from either fresh or dried coconut meat called copra. Coconut oil is good for your hair because it reduces dryness, may help hair grow longer, and it protects hair.

If you want to make your hair soft, silky, and strong, it's a good idea to use coconut oil regularly. In this article, we look at why coconut oil is good for your hair.

We also look at how coconut oil repairs damaged hair, improves structure and consistency, and brings back the luster in your hair.

Coconut oil is extracted from either fresh or dried coconut meat called copra. There are different types of coconut oils based on the method of extraction. Virgin coconut oil is usually the oil extracted from fresh coconut meat, while refined coconut is extracted from dried coconut meat.

Coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fatty acids. Keep in mind that terms like "virgin oil" are not regulated when it comes to the production of coconut oil.

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fatty acid. They have high-calorie content and are particularly rich in saturated fatty acids resistant to heat.

They also contain traces of unsaturated fatty acids. 100 grams of coconut oil contains:

Energy: 892 calories

Total lipid (fat): 99.1 grams 

Calcium: 1 milligram

Iron: 0.05 milligrams

Zinc: 0.02 milligrams

Choline: 0.3 milligrams

Vitamin E: 0.11 milligrams

Vitamin K (phylloquinone): 0.6 micrograms

Fatty acids (total saturated): 82.5 grams

Fatty acids (total monounsaturated): 6.33 grams

Fatty acids (total polyunsaturated): 1.7 grams

The fatty acid content of coconut oil has many benefits when it comes to the health of your hair.

Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Modern-day products such as shampoos, dyes, and other products you may use to style your hair can damage this protein and make your hair frail and lusterless.

Research shows that coconut oil helps reduce protein loss from your hair. A 2003 study analyzed the effects of applying coconut, sunflower, and mineral oil to hair before washing it and determined the protein loss after washing the hair.

The study revealed that coconut oil was much more effective in preventing hair protein loss than mineral and sunflower oil.

The study reviewed hair protein loss after different treatments, including bleaching, dyeing, chemical treatments, and undamaged hair. In all these scenarios, coconut oil was found to be most effective in limiting protein loss.

Another review carried out in 2015 analyzed the positive effects of plant-based oils on human hair. The review found that coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, the most abundant fatty acid found in the oil.

Lauric acid links with the proteins in the hair; because of its low molecular weight, it can breach the hair shaft. The hair shaft is the part of the hair that is visible above the scalp.

This breaching effect of coconut oil leads to lower water absorption by your hair, reducing hair damage as hair is most vulnerable to damage when it's wet or moist.

One of the main reasons for this effect of coconut oil is that the medium-chain carbons in lauric acid have a linear structure that is easily absorbed into the hair shaft.

Other oils are made up of heavier molecules that are not as easily absorbed. One such example is sunflower oil, which mainly contains heavier linoleic acid. Although other oils can coat the outside of the hair, they cannot enter the hair shaft.

Coconut oil also helps reduce hair dryness. Dry hair usually leads to the collection of dandruff that makes your hair weak and could lead to hair loss. There is increasing evidence of coconut oil's positive effects in controlling dry, itchy scalp and reducing the harmful effects of dandruff.

Research over the years has found that coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal effects. A 2021 study found that applying coconut oil to affected areas in the scalp is an excellent idea to utilize its antibacterial and antifungal effects.

The study was done in India over 16 weeks and involved 140 participants. Out of this, 70 people had reported the presence of dandruff in their hair, while the other 70 did not have any dandruff.

Your scalp is host to millions of microorganisms that include bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms feed on the oil in your scalp, leading to residual matter.

Dandruff is caused by the presence of a fungus called Malassezia that feeds on the oil in your scalp. The fungus breaks down the cells on your scalp called sebum which leads to the production of oleic acid.

Since coconut oil has antifungal properties, it vastly reduces the occurrence of dandruff.

Studies have also found that coconut oil contributes to repairing damaged scalp, especially the uppermost skin layer. This makes coconut oil very effective in managing dry scalp and dandruff. Coconut oil also effectively counters the harmful effects of scalp yeast infections.

A separate study found that coconut oil has anti-inflammatory effects. This study showed that applying coconut oil increased collagen levels in the scalp.

Collagen is critical in regulating the health of the scalp and hair follicles. It contains amino acids that are essential in the formation of keratin, the primary protein in hair. It's also the main part of the dermis, which is the connective tissue layer that contains the hair follicles.

Together, these studies show that coconut oil prevents the loss of essential protein for healthy hair. The presence of protein also makes the hair look healthy and lustrous and acts as a barrier that protects the scalp from damage from infections and other factors.

With its high nutrient content and protective effect, coconut oil could help your hair grow longer.

Compared to other oils, coconut oil is easily absorbed into your hair and fortifies it. Regularly applying coconut oil prevents damage to your hair, reduces split ends, and lessens the number of times your hair needs to be trimmed.

Coconut oil also strengthens your hair shaft and makes it bulkier by preventing hair protein loss. This also fortifies your hair and helps make it longer and thicker.

Studies have shown that coconut oil is very effective as a hair mask when applied before showering and as a hair conditioner after it has been washed and dried.

Applying coconut oil protects your hair from lice. A study done in Germany found that a combination of coconut oil and anise was over 40% more effective in treating lice as compared to permethrin lotion, a known product used in lice infections.

The study involved more than 100 participants who were given the lotion and the combination of coconut oil and anise nine days apart.

The study also found that since permethrin contains benzyl alcohol, some people may have allergic reactions to the chemical.

Coconut oil protects the hair against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. A study found that coconut oil has a barrier-forming effect on the scalp, protecting it from UV rays. Coconut oil has an anti-inflammatory effect on the scalp that helps reduce the inflammation caused by UV rays.

Coconut oil has both a preventive and a restorative effect on the scalp that protects your hair.

Coconut oil fortifies your hair and prevents hair loss. One of the leading causes of hair loss is excessive grooming which can harm the hair shaft. Applying coconut oil before you wash your hair builds a layer of oil on the outside of the hair shafts. This prevents water from entering the intracuticular region and lowers the tendency of the hair to swell. These effects, in turn, reduce the force exerted by the comb on your scalp and your hair shaft and lower the risk of hair damage.

Recent research highlights the many benefits of coconut oil for your hair.

It strengthens your hair and prevents protein loss, leading to healthier hair. It also protects your hair from harmful UV rays, and its anti-inflammatory effects can reduce the inflammation caused by the sun's rays. It's been found to be more effective in preventing lice than some medicines and also reduces the formation of dandruff in your hair with its antifungal and antibacterial effect. It also reinforces your hair and prevents hair loss that can be caused by over-grooming. All these factors make coconut oil a safe and healthy choice when taking care of your hair.